Garry Begg, the longtime MLA for Surrey-Guildford — a riding he won by just 22 votes in October’s election — has been named B.C.’s solicitor general and minister of public safety
SURREY: Premier David Eby announced his new cabinet this week, comprising 23 ministers, four ministers of state, and 14 parliamentary secretaries. Some new faces and some old return to the legislature with changes in health, public safety, and transport ministries.
Lt.-Gov Janet Austin reappointed David Eby premier of British Columbia and swore in the cabinet ministers and ministers of state. The NDP’s narrow electoral win and poor performance in Surrey have significantly impacted the representation of South Asian MLAs in various ministries.
The new lineup features only a handful of South Asian-origin MLAs appointed to various ministries, a noticeable decline compared to the previous NDP government. Prominent figures like Rachna Singh, the former Minister of Education, and Harry Bains, the former Minister of Labour, are absent from the cabinet—Singh lost her seat in the election, while Bains retired before the polls. Additionally, long-time politician Jinny Sims from Surrey too lost from her riding.
From Surrey, only Jagrup Brar and Garry Begg have been appointed as ministers, with Brar being the sole South Asian MLA from Surrey to secure a cabinet position. Garry Begg, the longtime MLA for Surrey-Guildford — a riding he won by just 22 votes in October’s election — has been named B.C.’s solicitor general and minister of public safety. Begg has served as an RCMP officer before being elected MLA in 2017.
A significant appointment in the new cabinet is Niki Sharma, who has taken on the dual role of Attorney General and Deputy Premier. Premier Eby emphasized that the new cabinet reflects British Columbia’s diversity and expertise, highlighting that it features more women than men. “Key portfolios are also filled by people with relevant professional and community experience, which will bring a real-world perspective to tackling today’s big challenges,” he stated.
Ravi Kahlon, MLA from North Delta, will keep his position as housing minister. He will also serve as minister of municipal affairs.
Ravi Parmar, former parliamentary secretary for international credentials, takes on a ministerial role in Eby’s new cabinet as minister of forests.
Jagrup Brar, who previously served as minister of state for trade, and only one South Asian MLA from Surrey, will take on a new portfolio dedicated solely to mining in B.C.
Four of the newly elected South Asian MLAs have been appointed as Parliamentary Secretaries including two from Surrey. Parliamentary secretaries are tasked with assisting ministers in carrying out their duties.
Jessie Sunner, NDP MLA from Surrey Newton, who ran in place of Harry Bains, has found role as Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives. Amna Shah has become Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health and Addictions.
Sunita Dhir, who is elected as the MLA for Vancouver-Langara in 2024 was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for International Credentials in November 2024. Before being elected to the legislature, Sunita worked as a language instructor at SUCCESS, a non-profit organization that supports newcomers on their settlement journey, Sunita has helped hundreds of people learn English and connect to their new communities here in B.C.
Harwinder Sandhu, freshly re-elected as MLA for the new Vernon-Lumby riding, has been given a new portfolio as the parliamentary secretary for agriculture.
Other than the South Asian representation, some key ministries also witnessed big shuffle. Longtime former health minister Adrian Dix, who held the role through the COVID-19 pandemic, is now minister of energy and climate solutions.
Replacing Dix as minister of health is Josie Osborne, who has handled several cabinet portfolios, including municipal affairs; water, land and resource stewardship; and energy, mines and low-carbon innovation.
Vancouver-South Granville MLA Brenda Bailey will leave behind the jobs portfolio and take on the role of minister of finance.
There will be separate ministries for Energy and Climate Solutions and Mining and Critical Minerals.
The former Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has been split into two: former minister of emergency preparedness Bowinn Ma will handle the infrastructure portfolio, and former solicitor general Mike Farnworth will take over as minister of transportation and transit. Farnworth has also been appointed House leader.
Eby said that the new cabinet’s top priorities will be bringing down costs for families, strengthening health care, making communities safer and growing the economy so everyone feels the benefits. Foundational to this work is a commitment to build partnerships with Indigenous communities and take action on climate change, both key to building a more prosperous B.C. for future generations. “These are big challenges and tackling them all will take time. Getting there will take listening and learning from British Columbians of different perspectives,” Premier Eby said. “While British Columbians may sometimes disagree, we all want the same basic things in life – a good paycheque, a home we can afford in a safe community and high-quality health care that’s there when we need it. By working together on these common challenges, we can build a brighter future for everyone.”
